Reading to kids
Reading to kids is crucial for their overall development and success. Here are a few reasons why it is important to read to kids:
- Language development: Reading to kids helps expose them to a wide variety of vocabulary and helps improve their language skills. This exposure to language at a young age can lead to better reading comprehension and communication skills later on in life.
- Cognitive development: Reading to kids can also help improve their cognitive development. It can help them learn to focus, pay attention, and improve memory retention. It can also help stimulate their imaginations and creativity.
- Bonding time: Reading to kids is a great way to bond with them and create lasting memories. It provides an opportunity for quality one-on-one time that can strengthen the parent-child relationship.
- Encourages a love of reading: By reading to kids from a young age, you are instilling the love of reading in them. This love of reading can carry on throughout their lives and lead to a lifelong love of learning and exploring new worlds through books.
Overall, reading to kids is an important activity that offers numerous benefits for their development and well-being. So, make sure to take the time to read to your kids regularly and watch them grow and thrive.
One and Only Ivan
One and Only Ivan is a beloved children’s novel written by Katherine Applegate that won the prestigious Newbery Medal in 2013. The story is inspired by the true story of a real-life silverback gorilla named Ivan who lived in captivity for most of his life.
The novel follows the journey of Ivan, who lives at the Exit 8 Big Top Mall and Video Arcade, where he is the main attraction for visitors. Ivan is intelligent and artistic, often spending his time drawing and reflecting on his life in captivity. He forms close relationships with the other animals at the mall, including an elderly elephant named Stella and a stray dog named Bob.
When a new baby elephant named Ruby arrives at the mall, Ivan’s perspective on his life and purpose begins to shift. He realizes that he must do something to help Ruby and the other animals living in captivity. With the help of Stella, Bob, and a young human named Julia, Ivan hatches a plan to escape and find a better life for them all.
Reading to kids also shows them how to emulate good behaviors to become better human beings and to also recognize behaviors that are not desired. One and Only Ivan is a heartwarming and poignant story that explores themes of friendship, empathy, and the importance of standing up for what is right. Through Ivan’s journey, readers are taken on an emotional rollercoaster of hope, resilience, and the power of love and compassion. The novel beautifully weaves together humor, heartache, and redemption, leaving a lasting impact on readers of all ages.
Katherine Applegate’s masterpiece, One and Only Ivan, is a timeless classic that continues to touch the hearts of readers around the world with its powerful storytelling and unforgettable characters. It is a heartfelt tribute to the resilience and strength of animals and a reminder of the importance of treating all creatures with kindness and respect. It is a great book to read to kids.
While this is a book for kids closer to 10 years old, my 8-year-old is enjoying it. The “chapters” are sometimes 1-2 pages in length, so it keeps his attention and also my 11-year-old’s attention. It is an easy read that both can take part in. You grow to love Ivan more and more as the story unfolds. It opens the doorway to having deeper conversations with your children beyond the surface of mistreatment of animals, but also the human feelings that accompany bad treatment from others and how being kind may seem small to them but can make a huge difference in someone else’s life.
For you, check out what I am currently reading and also Reese’s book club challenge.
